Annie’s story based on Australian case

Press, 14 January 1986, Page 22

Annie’s story based on Australian case

ANNIE’S COMING OUT Angelar Punch McGregor, Drew Forsythe, Tina Arhondis. RCA/Columbia/ Hoyts 93 mins NRC 1984

We have retained the “not recommended for children” rating on this drama quite deliberately because it is not suitable for younger viewers.

Based on the novel of the same name, this is a true story of the fight to have a young cerebral palsy victim recognised as a person with a right to have and determine her future. The actual legal battle took place in Melbourne in 1979 and created a valuable precedent.

A story of raw courage, determination and the will to succeed, this very moving film will stay with the viewer for a long time. Young Tina Arhondis who plays Annie O’Farell was born with cerebral palsy and suffers the same handicaps as the real life Ann McDonald and this adds even more authenticity to the story.

A quality production in all ways, this movie collected three well deserved

A.F.I. Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress (Angela Punch McGregor).

I’M DANCING AS FAST AS I CAN Jill Clayburgh, Nicol Williamson, Geraldine Page. CIC-Taft 101 mins M 1980

Based on TV journalist Barbara Gordon’s account of a time in her life when she was addicted to valium and struggling with problems in both her work and personal relationships, this is a rather harrowing tale. Jill Clayburgh gives a totally convincing portrayal of Barbara, and Nicol Williamson’s role as her erratic and unstable boyfriend is well balanced.

Geraldine Page plays the part of a terminally ill poet (the subject of a documentary that Barbara is working on) and the film’s title comes from a tale she is telling. Her performance is compelling and the role is one which allows plenty of scope for her talents. A thought-provoking movie which avoids sensationalism yet brings home the message that valium addiction is as self-destruc-tive as addiction to hard

drugs, this is not one for light viewing.

ICEMAN Timothy Hutton, Lindsay Crouse, John Lone. CIC-Taft 96 mins PG 1984

A fine piece of cinema and an absorbing tale, this piece of science-fiction is restrained enough to be thoroughly believable. The story opens with a team of Arctic researchers finding a 40,000 year old man frozen in ice. They thaw him out and find that he is still alive.

The surgical team, led by Dr Diane Brady (Lindsay Crouse), is only interested in learning all they can about his past but anthropologist Stanley Shepherd (Timothy Hutton) wants to befriend the iceman (John Lone) and bitter conflict ensues.

Shepherd’s efforts to communicate with the iceman are finally rewarded in one of those memorable moments of cinema, and the emphasis shifts subtly to the iceman’s personal conflicts. John Lone is superb in the role and develops the character with confidence and quiet humour. The scenery is breathtaking, the score is haunting

and the movie deserves far more attention than it has had to date.

THE UNDERGRADS Art Carney, Chris Makepeace. Walt Disney 98 mins G 1985

Art Carney is thoroughly engaging as the sprightly but feisty 68-year-old Mel Adler who has been confined to a retirement home by his son but who shows he had a mind of his own and his own plans for the future. Grandson Dennis (nicknamed “Jody” by Mel) spirits him away from the institution, and plans to share an apartment with his grandfather while he attends university. Mel decides to enrol at Simpson, too, and the resultant upheavals at school and among the family are a sheer delight.

Making no pretensions at being anything more than lighthearted entertainment for the family, there is, nonetheless, an underlying message about attempting to bridge the generation gap which makes its mark.

A fun film for all ages to enjoy together, and warmly recommended.